Apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises a flexible display and a flexible touch sensitive module

Abstract

An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises; a flexible display; a flexible touch sensitive module; and a first flexible coating overlaying the flexible display and a second flexible coating overlaying the touch sensitive module; wherein at least a portion of the touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a flexible display, the flexible display providing a substrate having a plurality of contact pads; 
 a flexible touch sensitive module; 
 a first flexible coating overlying the flexible display between the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module, said first flexible coating coupling said flexible display and said flexible touch sensitive module to one another; and 
 a second flexible coating overlying the flexible touch sensitive module, 
 wherein at least a portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating, 
 wherein the flexible display, the flexible touch sensitive module, the first flexible coating, and the second flexible coating are sufficiently flexible to be bent, folded, twisted, stretched, or otherwise physically deformed without damage to the apparatus, and 
 wherein the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating are sufficiently deformable and stretchable relative to the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module when the apparatus is deformed to prevent delamination of the apparatus. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is printed on the first flexible coating. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contact pads provides at least an electrical connection to the flexible touch sensitive module. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is flexible. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second flexible coatings is transparent. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible coating provides an external cover for the apparatus. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible coating provides a seal for components provided underneath the second flexible coating. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible coating provides an electrical insulation layer between the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible coating reduces interference between the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third flexible coating, said third flexible coating overlying said second flexible coating. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a first portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating and a second portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the second flexible coating. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flexible coatings comprise at least one of polyurethane, silicon, and epoxy-based elastomer. 
     
     
       13. A method comprising:
 providing a flexible display, the flexible display providing a substrate having a plurality of contact pads; 
 providing a flexible touch sensitive module; 
 providing a first flexible coating overlying the flexible display between the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module, said first flexible coating coupling said flexible display and said flexible touch sensitive module to one another; and 
 a second flexible coating overlying the flexible touch sensitive module, 
 wherein at least a portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating, 
 wherein the flexible display, the flexible touch sensitive module, the first flexible coating, and the second flexible coating are sufficiently flexible to be bent, folded, twisted, stretched, or otherwise physically deformed without damage, and 
 wherein the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating are sufficiently deformable and stretchable relative to the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module when the flexible display, the flexible touch sensitive module, the first flexible coating, and the second flexible coating are deformed to prevent delamination from one another. 
 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is printed on the first flexible coating. 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of contact pads provides at least an electrical connection to the flexible touch sensitive module. 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second flexible coatings is transparent. 
     
     
       17. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the second flexible coating provides a seal for components provided underneath the second flexible coating. 
     
     
       18. The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising providing a third flexible coating, said third flexible coating overlying said second flexible coating. 
     
     
       19. The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating and a second portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the second flexible coating. 
     
     
       20. An electronic device comprising:
 a flexible display, the flexible display providing a substrate having a plurality of contact pads; 
 a flexible touch sensitive module; 
 a first flexible coating overlying the flexible display between the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module, said first flexible coating coupling said flexible display and said flexible touch sensitive module to one another; and 
 a second flexible coating overlying the flexible touch sensitive module, 
 wherein at least a portion of the flexible touch sensitive module is mounted on the first flexible coating, 
 wherein the flexible display, the flexible touch sensitive module, the first flexible coating, and the second flexible coating are sufficiently flexible to be bent, folded, twisted, stretched, or otherwise physically deformed without damage to the apparatus, and 
 wherein the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating are sufficiently deformable and stretchable relative to the flexible display and the flexible touch sensitive module when the electronic device is deformed to prevent delamination of the electronic device.